Angolan Government's Peace Plan Luanda, 13 March 2002 The Government of Unity and National Reconciliation of the Republic of Angola considers that the country is experiencing a unique moment in its history to take joint action leading definitively to the end of the current armed conflict, in which the issues of peace and national reconciliation should be seen in a legal and political framework, respecting the constitution, the legal order and state institutions, and unequivocally accepting the validity of the peace accords and United Nations Security Council resolutions on Angola. In order to achieve peace, the government has set out an agenda that necessarily involves the solution of all military issues resulting from the armed conflict that started after the formation of the Angolan Armed Forces, in accordance with the Bicesse Accords and the Lusaka Protocol. With the aim of encouraging and promoting the confidence of the entire Angolan nation in this opportunity for peace that must not be wasted, the government has instructed General Staff headquarters of the Angolan Armed Forces, FAA, to cease all offensive movements as from midnight on 13 March 2002, so as to permit the establishment of on-the-spot contacts between the military commands of FAA and UNITA's military forces. This step opens the way to dialogue and cooperation between the military commands, in order to achieve a general ceasefire as soon as possible and the consequent ending of all movements of forces aimed at reinforcing or occupying new military positions, acts of violence against the civilian population, the destruction of public or private property and the obstruction of the free movement of people and their belongings. The government considers the demilitarization of UNITA, in accordance with the law, to be fundamental and decisive. In the interests of national reconciliation, the government will present a programme for the integration in national life of generals, officers and privates from UNITA's military forces. With regard to issues related to the full integration of UNITA into national political life, as a political party whose action is important to the consolidation of the democratic process, the government intends, within the framework of its public responsibilities, to help to create conditions in the country to permit UNITA members, internally and freely, to solve the problem of the leadership of their party and its reorganization and functioning in accordance with the law. The government will propose to the National Assembly the approval of an amnesty for all crimes committed within the framework of the armed conflict, the aim of this measure being to ensure the requisite legal and political guarantees for promoting and achieving the process of national reconciliation. Within the framework of implementing the outstanding administrative tasks of the Lusaka Protocol, extending the establishment of state administration to the whole national territory and the appointment of UNITA personnel to the posts provided for should be completed. At the same time, safe conditions should be created for displaced persons to return to their home areas, so as to permit the gradual revival of the economy everywhere in the country. To this end, the government, with the support of the international community, will promote a large-scale mine clearance programme to make the free movement of people and goods possible throughout the national territory. The government considers it necessary to find a political and legal solution to the electoral process not completed in 1992, and declares that it will implement the relevant political, legal and administrative measures for the holding of the next elections. To this end, in addition to completing the process of approving a new constitution, the government will engage in amending the electoral legislation, resettling displaced persons and electoral registration and census operations. The government will work with all of society, especially the churches, political parties, civic associations and social and professional associations, in this whole process, continuing to hold regular consultations with these bodies, with the aim of securing their valuable contribution to action to be undertaken to consolidate peace and democracy in the country and, especially, to calm people's minds, ensuring tolerance and mutual respect and the mobilization of resources and wills for the rapid resolution of the problems affecting war victims. The consolidation of peace requires timely and effective action in tackling the immediate effects of war on the most affected strata of the population, working to make humanitarian assistance reach all needy people, without discrimination. Within this context, the government is preparing an Emergency Programme to support the social reintegration and resettlement of four million displaced persons, the integration in society of 150,000 demobilized soldiers from the various wars in Angola as well as ex-servicemen, the reintegration of 100,000 disabled people and provision of shelter for 50,000 war orphans. The government recognizes the effort that has been made by the international community in respect of humanitarian aid and reaffirms its appeal to national and international donors to muster resources to support the said programme, the implementation of which should be with the effective participation of churches, non-governmental organizations and others in civil society, who will make their experience available to ensure transparency and the rational use of available resources. Within the framework of its commitment to the rapid reconstruction of the country, the government will fulfil the immediate outstanding tasks in its Programme to Overcome the Crisis, an integral and essential part of which is the Public Investment programme, PIP. The implementation of the PIP will make it possible to rehabilitate economic and social facilities making possible economic activity, the provision of medical assistance to the population, raising schooling levels, the movement of people and goods and better links between provinces, municipalities and communes, and the installation, organization and capacity building of local administration. With the aim of mobilising additional resources for the great task of rebuilding Angola in peacetime, the government has taken the initiative, with the assistance of friendly countries, to hold an international donors' conference on a date to be determined. The government appeals to all political forces and civil society as a whole, in this crucial period in which the nation's destiny is once again being decided, for every citizen to maintain a high sense of responsibility in his or her acts and words. The government encourages the propagation and consolidation everywhere in the country of a climate of mutual tolerance in which debate and the confrontation of ideas are possible without recourse to physical or verbal violence, insults or slander. The government urges all Angolans to unite, so that we may together turn an important page in our history. This is a time for reconciliation, mutual forgiveness and unity. Let us bid a final farewell to arms and war and dedicate ourselves fraternally to the reconstruction of a prosperous and modern Angola, capable of guaranteeing the physical, material and spiritual well-being of all its citizens and of occupying its rightful place in the concert of nations.
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